Returning to the office after Covid-19 Lockdown? Don’t forget your dog
If you’ve been staying home during covid and spending more time with your dog, you might notice when it’s time to go back to work that your dog may develop some separation issues.
Separation anxiety in dogs can be caused by a sudden change in the schedule, a move to a new house or the sudden absence of a family member, whether it’s a divorce, a death in the family or even an owner who is going back to work post-covid.
If your dog has separation issues, there are some things you can do:
First, be proactive. Before you have to go back to work:
Practice separation. Leave your dog for very short periods of time at first, then gradually lengthen the time away.
Exercise. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise before you leave so he/she can rest comfortably.
Food and water. Give your dog food and water before you leave (your dog should have clean water throughout the day). This, along with exercise, ensures all of your dog’s physical needs are met.
Interactive toys. Leave your dog with an interactive toy to relieve stress and keep the dog busy. Some good interactive toys include the Trixie activity flip board, Furnow dog chew toy, Freesoo snuffle mat, K9Interactive IQ dog puzzles. There are plenty of different interactive toys on the market available at local pets shop and on amazon.
Develop a quick “goodbye” ritual. This can be as simple as saying, “watch the house,” or “I’ll be right back.” Then, leave in a calm manner. Don’t make a drama out of leaving. You want your dog to know this is okay and you come home every time you leave.
Veterinarian. If your dog’s separation issues are severe and don’t quickly improve, talk to your dog’s veterinarian about the problem. There are calming diffusers available on the market, like Adaptil Calm Home Diffuser which you simply plug into a wall socket and it gives off a calm scent around in the room throughout the day to help calm your dog’s anxiety.
Most importantly, what you’ll need with most of these interactive dog toys is some healthy scented natural dog treats to keep them focused and engaged in the game! The following handmade dog treats made by Wag Wins are ideal treats to use with your interactive dog toys. If you are worried about weight gain from feeding your dog lots of treats, then Wag Wins pupcorn is a brilliant option to go for as it’s incredibly light, low fat and high in fibre. Keeping that in mind, all Wag Wins handmade dog treats are 100% natural, nutritiously delicious and are designed to aid your dog with a healthy diet & well-being using hypoallergenic ingredients like coconut oil in place of saturated fats.
Digestive Nibbles – miniature bite sized digestive biscuits in a pawprint heart shape.
Miniature Beetroot Hearts – miniature bite sized beetroot heart shaped biscuits.
Treat Time Bowl – miniature dog and bone shaped biscuits served in a miniature treat bowl that is the perfect size to hold a daily portion of treats. Ideal for taking out on day trips or to your dog sitter.
Cheese & Flaxseed Biscuits – deliciously cheesy handmade biscuits, a good source of fibre.
The Nutty Squirrels – peanut butter flavoured squirrel shaped dog biscuits.
Peanut Butter Pupcorn – A light, low fat treat & high in fibre without the worry of weight gain effects. Naturally flavoured with one of the most popular flavours or dogs – peanut butter.
Beetroot Pupcorn – A light, low fat treat & high in fibre without the worry of weight gain effects. Naturally flavoured with sweet beetroot, and with an attractive pink appearance.
Vegan Cheesy Pupcorn – A light, low fat treat & high in fibre without the worry of weight gain effects. Flavoured with vegan cheese with a strong scent to keep your dog’s attention on the game you serve it with.
All Wag Wins handmade dog treats are handmade using 100% natural human grade ingredients. All Wag Wins dog treats are grain-free, vegan friendly and contain no preservatives, additives or artificial flavourings.
Order online at www.wagwins.co.uk/shop-page